Basildon Council is grappling with a challenging financial situation, needing to save £5 million in its upcoming budget.
Basildon: The council is in a bit of a pickle, needing to save around £5 million from its budget. The council leader, Gavin Callaghan, has been pretty upfront about the tough financial situation they’re facing.
He mentioned that they’re overspending nearly £3 million on the bin service, which they’re planning to scrap. Plus, there’s another £3 million going towards temporary housing for the homeless. It’s a lot to juggle, and he’s calling it a big challenge.
Gavin’s got a plan, though. He wants to focus on getting the bins sorted, keeping the weekly service, and even cutting down on the homelessness spending. He’s also keen on building more council homes to help with the housing crisis.
He’s been honest with the public, saying the current bin system introduced by the Conservatives is a big money drain. They just can’t keep it going like this, especially with the rising costs of temporary accommodation.
In the first six months back, they’ve managed to get 300 new homes for temporary accommodation, which should help cut down on those hotel bills. Gavin’s all about making sure they can spend more on community needs, like grass cutting and proper bin services.
He’s also pushing for reforms around repairs and maintenance, wanting to speed things up so residents aren’t left waiting ages for fixes. With 3,000 people on the council housing waiting list, he’s determined to build more homes to meet the demand.
